918 Spyder is quicker than Porsche thought

Ever since the Porsche 918 Spyder debuted as a might-never-be concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, we knew it was quick. But we didn't know just how quick. In preparation of the first 918 deliveries, Porsche has announced that the hybrid supercar outperforms the company's previous, already-impressive performance estimates.

The 918 Spyder with Weissach package – and when you're already paying US$845,000 for a car, why not throw in an $84,000 performance package – is nearly as quick as the Bugatti Veyron, dashing to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.6 seconds (the Veyron does it in 2.5 ticks of the wristwatch). The car will double that 62 mph speed in 7.2 seconds from 0, a half-second faster than originally estimated. The trip from 0 to 186 mph (300 km/h) comes in 19.9 seconds, more than two seconds quicker than original estimates.

While it shoots out of the gate like a bullet out of a gun, the 918 does much more than fire straight forward. The hybrid supercar (with Weissach package) recently set a Nurburgring record for fastest street-legal car with a time of 6:57, proving that it doesn't have to walk a line to perform at its peak.

We're betting 918 buyers won't be quite as interested with all-electric acceleration times, but Porsche notes some improvements here, too. As newly tested, the 918 rolls to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds (6.1 seconds with Weissach package) when the electric motors are firing without the help of the V8 engine. That's well under the seven seconds Porsche was quoting earlier this year.

It's still hard to say that an $850,000 car is a "bargain," but given that it now boasts quickness that can rival nearly any car on the planet, the 918 offers that much more bang for the buck.

The Porsche's updated performance numbers are so hot off the track, the informational pamphlet the automaker is handing out at the LA Auto Show still lists the older figures. You can see a few live photos from the show in our gallery and read more about the ins and outs of the 918 in our in-depth look.